A Quebec City Dining Guide; Where To Eat In Old Quebec

“You are going to eat well“. “OMG, the food in Quebec City is so good“. This is what everyone told me when I told them I was headed to Quebec City for the first time so my expectations are high. Not normally a good thing as it can be hard to live up to… but guess what? OMG, the food in Quebec City is so good! I didn’t have a single disappointing meal the entire time I was there. From cocktails to coffee and all the Steak Tartare I can handle I ate well. So well, in fact, I’ve put together a where to eat in Quebec City Dining Guide that lists 10 great restaurants. Come hungry because Quebec City is going to leave you full and with a smile on your face.

Cafe Boulangerie Paillard – 1097 Rue Saint-Jean – Every day in Quebec should start with a good cup of coffee and a pastry, or two. Probably the most famous boulangerie in the city is called Paillard. It is a big place that sells bread, pastries, coffee and light meals. I visited here quite frequently during my stay and tried everything from a breakfast sandwich to a smoked meat sandwich. All were delicious, but be prepared for lineups. This place is popular.

La Maison Smith – 3 locations in Old Quebec City – Th House of Smith. How can I not fall in love with this coffee shop? Once I discovered La Maison Smith I never looked back. This is where I am every morning for my coffee and croissant. They have two locations in Old Quebec with another one in the lower port level. My favourite place for coffee in Quebec.

Le Chic Shack – 15 Fort St – Craving a great burger and a milkshake? Once you take a bite you won’t care that all the ingredients are sourced from local suppliers. All you will care about is how tasty the food is. From boozy milkshakes (the one pictured is a Kahlua milkshake) to gourmet burgers and of course Poutine. Le Chic Shack is the place to go. It is super easy to find as it is in the same building as the Musee Du Fort across from the Chateau Frontenac.

Chez Boulay – 1110 Rue Saint-Jean – Across the street from Paillard is Chez Boulay, a refined yet casual Bistro that serves inspired Quebec cuisine. I ventured in for Brunch and had the most delicious meal I’ve had in ages. The Le Bucheron included slices of medium rare beef topped with a sunny side fried egg and Bearnaise sauce. On the side are salad and poutine cooked in duck fat. Seriously if this is poutine I’ve died and gone to heaven. Next visit I am coming for dinner and cocktails.

Il Matto – 71 Rue St Pierre – I have a friend that lives in Quebec City and when I challenged her to take me out to her favourite restaurant her answer was quick and absolute. We must go to Il Matto. Located below fortified Old Quebec it is well worth a cab and a walk to Il Matto. Comfort Italian cuisine that offers dishes that are still made by the Nonna. Ask for these pasta dishes as they are worth it. My photos are terrible as the lighting inside is very red but trust me when I say the food is BENE!

Bello Ristorante – 73 Rue Saint Louis – Just a stones through from my hotel in Old Quebec is Bello Ristorante. Another great Italian find perfect for dinner, drinks and all of the above. I joined some fellow travellers for feast here and had such a great time I forgot to take pictures of the amazing appetiser platters they brought out. My main course of Scaloppine Di Vitello Al Funghi was cooked perfectly. I have to also commend the customer service here as it was some of the best I’ve enjoyed in many years.

L’Atelier – 624 Grande Allée E – When a place is known for tartares and cocktails I have to check it out. You could say that Steak Tartare is one of my all day favourite foods and while in Quebec I plan on eating as much tartare as I can get my hands on and at L’atelier they are one of the best. Fresh Burrata and an order of Tartare de Boeuf are the perfect pairings for the two cocktails I had. I also ran into friends from the West Coast as L’Atelier is on many best places to eat & drink lists.

Le Hobbit Bistro – 700 Rue Saint-Jean – As the name suggests this bistro in Old Quebec is small in size but makes up for it with big flavours. I met friends for Brunch here and all of us became quiet as the food was served. You know the food is good when no one is talking, we are busy eating. I had the Eggs Benedict and the Hollandaise sauce was perfect! Loved the small smoothie that comes with the meal. Again, another restaurant I need to visit for dinner at night as it is probably just as good as Brunch.

Microbrasserie Griendel – 195 Rue Saint-Vallier O – For my one big venture out of Old Quebec I discovered a microbrewery and restaurant called Griendel. Just a 5-minute cab ride from Old Quebec it is well worth the ride. I mean to go with my flight of brews I had a fabulous Steak Tartare. It was worth it just for the food. The Taps are constantly changing so get adventurous and sample as many as you can. Quebec has a great microbrew scene and Griendel is no exception.

La Buche – 49 Rue Saint Louis – Quebec cuisine. That is what La Buche is all about. The Poutine changes daily which of course is what I had. A generous skillet of fries, covered in cheese curds and gravy topped with a thick cut of Bacon. Nom nom nom. The decor is very rustic but the food is a modern interpretation of Quebec cuisine. The Beef Croquettes were a tasty bite to have alongside the Poutine. If you are still hungry try their desserts. May I suggest the Pudding Du Chomeur, it is divine.

So you see my friends were right. I ate very well while I was in Quebec City and so will you. Bon Apetite!

About Author

Marc Smith is a former event planner turned vagabond adventurer. He loves strong Americano's, great wine, cold beer and zip lining over tree tops.
Formerly of Vancouver, most of Marc's time when not travelling is in Canada's largest city, Toronto. Follow along on his nomad adventures and discover places to stay, things to do and where to eat & drink as he explores the world one city and region at a time.